D17 power steering
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=209526
Printed Date: 22 Mar 2026 at 3:39am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: D17 power steering
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Subject: D17 power steering
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 3:14pm
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I have a series 1 D 17 LP with power steering and a 400 series loader. It works fine until the temperatures get below about 20 F. Then the steering is next to impossible to turn until it's been running for about 5 minutes or so, then it works fine. ' I'm thinking there may be moisture in the fluid that is causing the problem. Would changing the fluid solve the problem? I've had the tractor for quite a few years and the fluid has never been changed as it looks clean. Also, what is the best fluid to use in the system. We see temps below -30F here at times. Otherwise, it's a great tractor.
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Replies:
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 4:45pm
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yes.. probably some moisture in the old oil. Changing it out would definitely help.. As cold as it is, the thinnest oil you can get would be best. Transmission fluid is normally thinner than most UTF / Tractor fluids.... I would go with a Type "F" or type "A" or any older type you can find.. I might stay away from the newer MERCON LV and DEXRON VI as they are synthetic and have a lot of extra "addatives" that may not be good on an older system.
------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 4:48pm
here is one option at local Wal Mart... ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: BillinAlberta
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 5:05pm
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Phil I have 2 D17's that have been in use for many years near you and now in Saskatchewan. Some time back the series 2 got hard to steer in the cold so I changed the fluid from Walmart tractor fluid to ATF. It improved it a bunch but it was probably also contaminated with water. Both are now back to Walmart fluid and working fine even at 35 below.
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Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 5:36pm
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Thanks for the reply's. It's snowed into the shed at the moment, and the weather has warmed up so I'll get an electric heater under there and get it good and warm, and change the fluid. Gravel floor in that shed so any minor spill won't be a problem! Bill, I saw you had moved to Saskatchewan. Did you get tired of all those hills where you were before?? LOL
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Posted By: BillinAlberta
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 6:07pm
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I loved those hills but family changes dictated a semi retirement near S'toon. It is great to have the kids close by.
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Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2025 at 9:19pm
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Make sure it has Dexron ATF. Better for colder climates than hydraulic fluid. I run it in all of mine. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 31 Dec 2025 at 11:21pm
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Brrrrrr, I can’t even imagine -30 temperatures. 4 degrees in Va is bad enough. I think that was the coldest temp I had last winter. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2026 at 4:27pm
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I got the system drained out overnight, then put in the new Dextron and cycled it through the system. I've been using it since and all seems OK now! Thanks for the assistance. Noticed I have a leak somewhere in the loader hydraulic system at the front area, but I'll wait 'til it gets warmer so I can pressure wash it all underneath and then have a better idea where it's coming from. I have an idea, but I need to clean up all the oil so I can pin point the leak. Its not too severe as there is no dripping visible and the oil level is pretty well where it should be. I can see it's not the front pump.
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Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2026 at 4:38pm
If the leak is not at the front pump, it would most likely be in the steering system. The seal where the steering shaft goes into the front casting could be the suspect. Switching to a lighter power steering fluid tends to expose leaks more than hydraulic fluid. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Alberta Phil wrote: